Dynamic hammock spreader apparatus and method

Abstract

A method for spreading a hammock is disclosed. The method may include selecting a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction. The method may further include suspending the first end of the hammock base from a first anchor and suspending the second end of the hammock base from a second anchor. Once suspended, the hammock base may be spread in the lateral direction using exclusively a dynamic spreader system. The dynamic spreader system may automatically adjust the amount of the spreading in response to changes in the weight, shape, or orientation of contents within the hammock base.

1. A method comprising:
 obtaining a hammock comprising a hammock base having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction; 
 obtaining a dynamic spreader system comprising a first flexible member; 
 suspending the hammock base between two anchors; 
 spreading the hammock base in the lateral direction using exclusively the dynamic spreader system; 
 maintaining, by the hammock during the spreading and while the hammock base is unoccupied, the first flexible member deflected to overarch the hammock base; and 
 urging, by the dynamic spreader system during the spreading and while the hammock base is unoccupied, separation of the first and second sides of the hammock base with a force insufficient to flatten the hammock base in the lateral direction. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member comprises a flexible rod of about one eighth inch to about one quarter inch in diameter. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible member is a collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the dynamic spreader system further comprises a second flexible member. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first flexible member is substantially identical to the second flexible member. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 4 , further comprising maintaining, by the hammock during the spreading and while the hammock base is unoccupied, the second flexible member deflected to overarch the hammock base. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein the first and second flexible members each comprise a collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first and second flexible members each extends substantially linearly in its neutral, undeflected position. 
     
     
       9. A method comprising:
 selecting a hammock comprising:
 a dynamic spreader system, 
 a hammock base formed of flexible material and having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction, and 
 a hammock canopy cooperating with the hammock base to form an enclosure; 
 
 suspending the hammock base between two anchors; 
 spreading the hammock base in the lateral direction using exclusively the dynamic spreader system; 
 supporting, by the dynamic spreader system while the dynamic spreader system is fully installed, the hammock canopy spaced above the hammock base; and
 sagging, by the hammock base, with slack in the lateral direction while the dynamic spreader system is fully installed. 
 
 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the dynamic spreader system includes at least one spreader comprising a first collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one spreader further comprises a second collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second collapsible elongated members each extends substantially linearly in its neutral, undeflected position. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 9 , wherein the dynamic spreader system comprises two flexible spreaders, each comprising an elongated member extending substantially linearly in its neutral, undeflected position. 
     
     
       14. A method comprising:
 selecting a hammock system comprising:
 a hammock base formed of flexible material and having a first end, a second end opposite the first end in a longitudinal direction, a first side, and a second side opposite the first side in a lateral direction, 
 a hammock canopy cooperating with the hammock base to form an enclosure, and 
 a dynamic spreader system; 
 
 suspending the hammock base between two anchors; 
 spreading the hammock base in the lateral direction using exclusively the dynamic spreader system; 
 maintaining, by the dynamic spreader system during the spreading, the hammock base partially spread such that the hammock base sags with slack in the lateral direction between the first and second sides; 
 supporting, by the dynamic spreader system during the maintaining, the hammock canopy above the hammock base; and 
 occupying, by a human user during the maintaining, the hammock base. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14 , wherein the spreading comprises installing at least one spreader deflected to arch over the hammock base and urge the first side away from the second side with a force insufficient to flatten the hammock base in the lateral direction. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one spreader comprises a flexible rod having a diameter in the range of about one eighth inch to about one quarter inch. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 sagging, by the hammock canopy, prior to the occupying; and 
 reducing, as a result of the occupying, the sagging. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one spreader comprises a first collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one spreader further comprises a second collapsible elongated member comprising multiple segments selectively connected by at least one coupler.